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The 16 Days
of Activism against gender violence (25 November – 10 December 2009)
Regional
Director WHO/SEARO – Dr. Samlee Plianbangchang:
Calls for Action
On prevention and
elimination of gender-based violence (GBV)
in the South-East Asia Region
The International Day for the Elimination of Violence
against Women is commemorated every year on 25 November. From that day to 10 December, which marks
International Human Rights Day, the world celebrates 16 days of activism
against gender violence. Violence against women is a violation of human
rights and fundamental freedoms.
Violence against women is one of the 12 areas of concern
for women’s advancement declared by the Beijing International Women
Conference in 1995. It is recognized
as a major concern for gender mainstreaming and health inequity issues. It increases the risk of unwanted
pregnancy, affects mental health and has a negative impact on child care,
nutrition and immunization, as well as disrupting family life and well being.
The South-East Asia (SEA) Region faces a big challenge in
eliminating gender-based violence (GBV); 9 out of 11 countries have
highlighted the issue as a public health problem. GBV involves not only physical injury and
psychological harm but also death.
Most of the victims are women and most perpetrators are husbands;
however, recently it has also been found that men and children become
victims. Studies being undertaken in
SEAR countries indicate that as many as one in five women between 15-24 years
and one in six women between 40-49 years could be subject to GBV from their
intimate partners/husbands. GBV has
also been found to be prevalent among persons living with HIV and AIDS and
disabilities with women suffering more than men.
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